Podcast Archives

Random Encounter 346 – Will the PS5 Rescue Starfield?

Posted by Jonathan Logan on April 27, 2026

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking all about two older games that have recently been revitalized with new gameplay! When Starfield was released in 2023, it was divisive, to put it mildly. Some said it was one of the best games ever, some said it was the worst game ever, but most gree… Read More »

Retro Encounter 484 – Persona 5 Part II

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on April 23, 2026

Quit the idle chit-chat and let’s listen to Retro Encounter. This week on Retro Encounter, we dive into the second half of Persona 5, including all the post-game Royal content. Did this game really need to be longer? What do we think of the new content? Just how long can one game be? Listen in to fi… Read More »

Random Encounter 345 – PAX East 2026 Roundup!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on April 13, 2026

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking all about some of the RPGs and adventure games found at this year’s PAX East! Originally known as the Penny Arcade Expo, both PAX East and West have become long-running institutions in the video game industry. This year, our fearless editor-in-chief… Read More »

Retro Encounter 483 – Persona 5 Part I

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on April 9, 2026

Looking cool, Retro Encounter. This week on Retro Encounter, we dive into the first half of Persona 5. We discuss the dazzling style, combat, and the sometimes less than dazzling structure. Who do we want to romance? Does the game still hold up? Does Morgana ever let us do anything but sleep? Listen… Read More »

Random Encounter 344 – Life is Strange: Carmageddon

Posted by Jonathan Logan on March 30, 2026

On this episode of Random Encounter, we talk about cars ramming one another and time travel. And no, for once, this isn’t a Back to the Future reference (although it could be)! First up is Matt chatting about the big grand finale of the Life is Strange franchise, Life Is Strange: Reunion (although w… Read More »

Retro Encounter 482 – Pentiment

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on March 26, 2026

Retro Encounter is the only reason to do anything in this life. This week on Retro Encounter, we dive into the 2022 Obsidian masterpiece Pentiment, a game about murder, religion and the stories we tell about those things. Is there a right answer? Who do we accuse? Why are Socrates and God on the sam… Read More »

Random Encounter 343 – Pokémon vs. The World

Posted by Jonathan Logan on March 16, 2026

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s the end of the world as we know it, and Ditto feels fine! First up, Ben is here to chat about the latest Pokémon spin-off, Pokémon Pokopia. Man is dead, and the Pokémon rule. We don’t think that anyone expected that we’d get a post-apocalyptic Pokémon game,… Read More »

Retro Encounter 481 – Best Final Bosses

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on March 12, 2026

The only thing we can believe in, with absolute certainty, is Retro Encounter, Jack. This week on Retro Encounter, we chat about bosses. But not just any bosses–no, we talk about final bosses. They’re supposed to be a final challenge, but are they always? Do we even want a challenge at the end? How… Read More »

Random Encounter 342 – Adventure Islands!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on March 2, 2026

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re talking about two new games that both take place on very different islands! First, Bob is here to chat about the standalone sequel to 2023’s Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse. This visual novel brilliantly mixes r… Read More »

Retro Encounter 480 – Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade Part II

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on February 26, 2026

…wrong. I am a podcast. This week on Retro Encounter we dive into the second half of Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. How much of the story do we actually get to experience? How much do we enjoy the late game maps? What are our favorite support conversations? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach… Read More »

Random Encounter 341 – Proud RPGFans

Posted by Jonathan Logan on February 16, 2026

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re talking about two “old” games (though one is significantly older than the other)! First up, Audra is here to share her thoughts on Ys X: Proud Nordics. But wait, didn’t Ys X: Nordics just release in 2024? Yes, it did! But now, an even more complete version is h… Read More »

Retro Encounter 479 – Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade Part I

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on February 12, 2026

For years, I’ve podcasted. Now, let those podcasts show their worth! This week on Retro Encounter we’re discussing the first half of the first game localized to the West of that most famous SRPG series: Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. Does the host jive with the squares and the RNG? Do we even disc… Read More »

Random Encounter 340 – Cause and Effect

Posted by Jonathan Logan on February 3, 2026

On this week’s Random Encounter, it’s all about games featuring cause and effect! First up, Audra is here to chat with us about the time-travelling, Souls-like sequel to 2019’s Code Vein: Code Vein II. Though it can occasionally feel like being trapped in a time loop while playing against a Souls-li… Read More »

Retro Encounter 478 – RPGs That Deserve a Perfect Score

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on January 29, 2026

On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we discuss something that has only been awarded once at RPGFan: a perfect score. So, each panelist brings on one game they think deserves a perfect score and defend it against the panel. But there can be only one! Who will be our winner? Listen in to find o… Read More »

Random Encounter 339 – 2025 Year in Review

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on January 19, 2026

In our first Random Encounter of 2026, we’re taking a look back at 2025! While many would describe 2025 as a mixed bag (at best), there is no disputing that it was a banner year for video games. Not only did we finally get two of the most anticipated sequels of all time in Hollow Knight: Silksong an… Read More »

Retro Encounter 477 – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Part II

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on January 15, 2026

I love you, and that’s why I gotta listen to Retro Encounter. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we chat about the twisty, turny second half of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Do all the plot points land? Who was our favorite character? Is there actually a reason they’re naked in the Sentinels? Lis… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 174 – Music of the Year 2025

Posted by Mike Salbato on January 13, 2026

Well hello there, and yes, it is time for a super-sized episode of Rhythm Encounter to celebrate many of the excellent RPG soundtracks, arrangements, and more from 2025. That’s right, it’s Music of the Year 2025 time! With four panelists who each brought on three songs, this is certainly our longest… Read More »

Retro Encounter 476 – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Part I

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on January 8, 2026

I don’t trust much in this post-war world, but if there’s one exception, it’s my Retro Encounter. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we’re jumping through time and getting inside our mechs in the first half of Vanillaware’s 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. We talk about our first impressions of the… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 173 – Investigating Fall Music

Posted by Mike Salbato on January 5, 2026

Given the monumental releases throughout most of 2025, it would be easy to think we saw the best of what last year had to offer by September. But nay! The last quarter of 2025 graced us with many excellent releases, and today we discuss a couple of arrangement albums worth your time, plus four brand… Read More »

Random Encounter 338 – RPGFan’s Most Anticipated Games of 2026

Posted by Jonathan Logan on December 29, 2025

In our final Random Encounter of 2025, it’s time to take a look ahead to the biggest games of 2026! With the holidays in the rear view mirror, RPGFan is now building our annual most anticipated for the coming year feature. And there is no better way to wrap up 2025 than having the Random panel give… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 172 – Happy Jólabókaflóðið!

Posted by Hilary Andreff on December 22, 2025

We’re getting festive today on Rhythm Encounter, but maybe not in the way you’d expect. It’s the end of year holiday season, and we are taking inspiration from a holiday that celebrates another thing I like as much as video game music: books! Jólabókaflóðið — which roughly translates to “Christmas b… Read More »

Retro Encounter 475 – 1995 Year in Review

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on December 18, 2025

I sure hope this episode isn’t BadBad. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we cover the most interesting RPGs of the year, but this time, we flash it back to 1995. We discuss design decisions, varying localization quality, and those insane encounter rates. Does someone bring on a really bad R… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 171 – Une Vie À Musique

Posted by Mike Salbato on December 10, 2025

Well we finally did it: An episode all about one of this generation’s most stunning soundtracks, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. We talk about the beauty, the melancholy, the cellos, the feelings, and really, the feelings that Lorien Testard and Alice Duport-Percier evoke every time we play the game or… Read More »

Random Encounter 337 – Merry Game Awards 2025!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on December 8, 2025

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re chatting about gaming’s biggest night: The Game Awards 2025! But before we get to all the reveals (and actual awards, I guess), we want to talk to Zek about the new Octopath Traveler game that was just released, Octopath Traveler 0! This entry, adapted from the… Read More »

Retro Encounter 474 – Dragon Quest Tier List

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on December 4, 2025

I hope there is something really amazing on top. If we don’t find Dragon Quest V, it is all your fault. This week on Retro Encounter, we undertake a difficult endeavor yet again: making a tier list of one of the most popular RPG franchises. This time, it’s Dragon Quest! Do things get heated? Who rea… Read More »

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